The Pittsburgh Steelers, and new quarterback Russell Wilson, have been hard at work in the 2024 offseason to set the tone and direction for the team. Wilson has been active in introducing rookies and free agent signings to the team, and in creating a new image for himself as the signal-caller of the black and gold. With all the good Wilson has been doing, there is still plenty of speculation on whether Wilson can reflect this effort on the field as well.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Russell Wilson at Pittsburgh's voluntary offseason training program in 2024.
The Steelers and Wilson are both working to change the narrative that has been swirling around them. The Steelers haven't won a playoff game since 2016, and Wilson has never been able to live up to the blockbuster trade that sent him to the Denver Broncos. Pittsburgh believes it can still get the best out of Wilson, but the newest narrative is that Pittsburgh may not be the best place for Wilson's personality.
During an episode of the Colin Cowherd Podcast, Colin Cowherd discussed that the mentality of Wilson is what should be called into question compared to the physical portion of the game.
"That culture there [in Pittsburgh] is very grinder-oriented. Even your stars, Big Ben [Roethlisberger] was kind of a small town guy, TJ Watt midwestern guy. You know the Le'Veon Bells come in and very quickly, they feel disconnected from it. It's a grinder operation. I'm not saying Russell doesn't grind and work hard, but he has a brand. He's just different. Call it what you want, nobody gets called out in this league as much as Russell."
Wilson's time in Denver was highlighted by struggle. There were concerns with his on-field product and with his seriousness towards the game as the team went a combined 11-19 with Wilson under center.. All players have their own personality, and with the Steelers track record of players having too big of a personality, it's understandable why Cowherd questioned what problems this could cause. However, Wilson has continued to do all the right things to be a leader in Pittsburgh.
AP
Quarterback Russell Wilson throwing passes during the Pittsburgh Steelers' 2024 OTAs.
Steelers Could Rejuvenate Wilson's Career
Wilson is preparing to play his first season in Pittsburgh. After spending 12 years of his career with the Seattle Seahawks headlined by nine Pro Bowls, a Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and a Super Bowl ring, Wilson requested a trade and was sent to Denver in 2022. It was a tale of two seasons for Wilson as a Bronco as year one resulted in the lowest quarterback rating of Wilson's career at 84.4.
Wilson bounced back in year two improving his rating to a 98 and posting a touchdown to interception ratio of 26 to 8. The effort wasn't enough for Wilson to earn the the contract extension he signed when he was traded over, as he was cut to start the 2024 offseason. For what was given up to acquire his services, the trade was considered a bust and the reputation for the Super Bowl-winning quarterback was tainted.
USA Today
Former Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson sits at an NBA game with his former HC Sean Payton.
After being cut, the Steelers signed Wilson to a one-year contract, with the expectation that he will have the opportunity to re-sign with the team should all things go correctly. But ultimately that's up to Wilson and his performance on the field. For added incentive, the Steelers added Justin Fields this offseason in hopes of creating a competition to get the best out of both players.
Now in Pittsburgh, Wilson is following the advice of his new city, by being ready to work. Wilson has a chance to revitalize his career, as long as he performs to the cities standards, and is able to beat out Fields as the teams starter. Wilson will have to continue to wait to September 8th in Atlanta to prove to everyone that he still has what it takes to be a starting quarterback in the NFL, and that his time in Denver was simply a fluke.
#SteelerNation
